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“Indeed,” Leah’s grandmother said, joining them. “Is your surgical work going well?”

Andrew nodded. “We’re coming up with some new procedures for wounds that might very well save us from automatic amputations. It’s all quite exciting.”

“Andrew thinks everything is exciting,” Jacob Turner proclaimed, joining the discussion.

Leah didn’t know Uncle Jacob as well as the others. He had gone east to train as a veterinarian, then remained in New York to work on a thoroughbred farm where they had raised several promising racehorses. He and Jared were happy to sit and talk horses for hours.

“It’s so good to have you here, Jacob,” Grandmother said, giving him a hug. “I do wish you lived closer.”

“You have most everyone else here in the area,” he countered. “We Turners were overwhelming Minneapolis.”

“There’s always room for one more,” Grandmother proclaimed. “I would be quite content if you were to marry and give me more grandchildren.”

Jacob rolled his eyes, and Andrew nudged him in the side. “You’re the only holdout of the entire group.”

Leah remained to listen to the banter until three of her aunts came to interrupt them. Winifred was first, with Penelope and Meri following close behind. Each of them had several children circling them or pulling at their skirts.

“Papa,” Winifred said, hugging him close, “happy birthday.” She left his embrace and kissed her mother’s cheek. “You look so good, Mama.”

Grandmother reached out to touch her daughter’s expanded waist. “And so do you. Is everything well with the baby?”

“Yes, and the children can hardly wait for him or her to come in June. I think it’s going to be a boy, which will absolutely delight his father after five girls.”

Grandfather nodded. “There’s something mighty special about daughters, but sons will carry a man’s name.”

“I can hardly wait,” Grandmother said. “With Jared’s wife newly expecting, and you and Meri, this family will have three new babies in one year. How special that will be for us.”

“Well,” Meri said, touching her hands to both sides of her large belly, “I’m just hoping it won’t be twins again. I always figured Evan or Evie would be the one to have twins. I frankly don’t know how you did it, Mother.”

Leah laughed as those twins, just two of Meri’s brood of seven, happened to make their presence known at that moment.

“Grandma!” the boys said in unison. “Grandpa!” They wrapped their little arms around the older couple. At five, they were forces to be reckoned with.

“Thomas! Peter! I swear you’ve grown a foot,” Grandmother said.

Peter looked at the ground and then up to his grandmother. His expression was confused. “I growed two.”

Everyone laughed, and while Grandmother explained, Leah slipped away to find Erik.

She located him in the billiards room playing a game with Uncle Jim while Evan and Jared looked on.

“I wondered where you all were hiding. Pastor Breckenridge just arrived a little while ago, so it won’t be much longer until we cut the cake. Don’t get too caught up in the game.” Leah came a bit closer. “Are you winning?”

The men laughed. Evan shook his head. “He doesn’t even know how to play. We’re trying to teach him.”

“It’s probably a good thing I held on to the table, then. Still, I will be just as happy when you take it to your house, Uncle Evan.”

“Yes, well, the boys have promised that with the snow behind us, they will lend a hand and help me one weekend instead of going ice fishing. Let’s get through today’s party and tomorrow’s Easter celebration, and then we can discuss it.”

“I agree.” She stretched up and kissed his cheek. “There really isn’t any rush. I won’t be getting new residents for another couple of weeks.”

“So, when are the two of you getting married?” Uncle Jared asked.

Leah had been asked that question at least twenty times already. “We hope for the end of next month. We just want a very small ceremony, probably right here. We’ve been anxious about the war, and now that it’s been announced that America will join the fight, we’re concerned about what it will mean for Erik. For all of you.”

“It is a fearful thing in many ways. We’ve always been raised to be patriotic, however,” Uncle Evan said with a shrug. “I suppose we’ll all do our parts.”

“Well, I believe the army will want me home raising horses,” Jared said. “I’ve already spoken to more than one military commander who told me this was where I could do them the most good. They have machinery now, tanks and such, but horses will always be needed.”